View Your Saved WiFi Password Through Network Settings

The fastest way to see a WiFi password you've already connected to is through Windows Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, and select Manage Known Networks. Click the network name you want, then Advanced, and scroll to Security. The password field shows your network key — though it appears as dots until you click Show to reveal it.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. You need to be logged in as an administrator on that computer. If you're looking for a network you've never connected to before, this route won't help — you'll need the password from whoever set up the router or from the router itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Settings shows passwords only for networks your computer has already connected to, not networks you're seeing for the first time.
  • The Command Prompt method works faster if you know the exact network name and need to see multiple passwords without clicking through Settings menus.
  • Your router's admin panel displays the password you set during setup, and you can access it from any device on the network by typing the router's IP address into a browser.
  • If you've forgotten the password and can't find it anywhere, resetting the router to factory settings is the only way forward — this erases all your custom settings.

Retrieve the Password Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt can pull the password faster if you know the network name. Right-click the Start button, select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and type this command: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear. Replace YourNetworkName with the exact name of your WiFi network. The password appears next to "Key Content" in the results.

This method shows the actual password in plain text when ready, without navigating through menus. It only works for networks your computer has connected to before. If you type the network name wrong, the command returns an error — make sure the name matches exactly, including capital letters and spaces.

Check Your Router's Admin Panel

Your router stores the password you created when you first set it up. To view it, open a web browser on any device connected to that WiFi network and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Most routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router if you're unsure.

Log in with your router's admin username and password. These are often printed on the router itself (commonly admin/admin or admin/password, though many routers now require you to set a custom password during first setup). Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi Settings, or Security — the password field is usually labeled Network Key, Passphrase, or PSK. Write down the password before you leave, since you'll need it if you ever reset the router.

Reset Your Router If You Can't Find the Password Anywhere

If you've checked Settings, Command Prompt, and the admin panel and still can't locate the password, your only option is to reset the router to its factory defaults. This erases all your custom settings — the network name, password, and any other configurations you've made — and returns the router to how it came from the manufacturer.

To reset, locate the small reset button on the back of the router (usually recessed so you need a paperclip or pin to press it). Hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it's back online, you'll need to set up the network from scratch, including creating a new password. Check the router's documentation or the manufacturer's website for the default network name and password to use during setup.

Prevent Password Loss in the Future

Once you've found your password, write it down or store it somewhere you'll remember — a password manager, a note in your phone, or a document on your computer. Many people keep a small notebook with important passwords and account information in a drawer at home.

If you change your WiFi password in the future, update your notes when ready. When you change the password through the router's admin panel, Windows will ask you to enter the new password the next time you connect — after that, Windows stores it automatically and you won't need to type it again.

Troubleshooting When the Password Won't Display

If Settings shows the network but the password field is blank or grayed out, you may not have administrator rights on that user account. Log in as an administrator or ask someone with admin access to retrieve it for you. On some older Windows versions, the password field straightforward doesn't display even for admins — in that case, use the Command Prompt method instead.

If the Command Prompt command returns "Interface not found" or "No profiles found," you've either typed the network name incorrectly or your computer has never connected to that network. Double-check the spelling and capitalization of the network name. If the network name contains special characters or spaces, put the entire name in quotation marks in the command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password for a network I've never connected to?

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your computer has already joined. If you need the password for a network you haven't connected to, ask the person who set it up or check the router's admin panel if you have access to it.

What if I don't know my router's admin password?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of the router — many manufacturers print a default username and password there. If that doesn't work, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases your custom password and forces you to set up the network again from scratch.

Will viewing my password change anything on my network?

No. Looking at your password through Settings, Command Prompt, or the router's admin panel doesn't affect your network, disconnect anyone, or change any settings. It's a read-only action.

Can I see passwords for networks on other people's computers?

Only if you have administrator access to their computer and they've connected to that network before. You cannot see passwords for networks you've never connected to, and you cannot access another person's router admin panel without their login credentials.

What should I do if someone else knows my WiFi password and I want to change it?

Log into your router's admin panel, find the WiFi or Wireless settings section, and change the password to something new. Save the changes and the router will restart. All devices will disconnect and will need the new password to reconnect. This doesn't affect the devices already connected until they disconnect or the router restarts.